Sources say Starkville special meeting will address investigation

A special-call Starkville Board of Aldermen meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday is linked to an internal city investigation, sources close to the situation confirmed Tuesday.

Sources said a Starkville Municipal Court employee was recently investigated for potential financial wrongdoing, but the Dispatch is unaware of the outcome of that inquiry. Starkville Police Chief David Lindley said Tuesday no criminal charges have been filed against a city employee to date.

The Dispatch learned of the investigation Monday and placed a call asking for the employee Tuesday.

Another court employee said the worker in question was not at work and did not know if the person would be at City Hall on Wednesday.

The notice for Thursday's meeting is signed by Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard. That notice was posted shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday on City Hall's front door.

Only one item, a personnel matter, is listed for discussion. The board is expected to remain behind closed doors in the City Hall Conference Room for a majority of the session. Afterwards they will announce if any motions were passed in the session.

Mississippi Code states the mayor or any two aldermen may, by written notice, schedule special meetings "for the transaction of important business."

In March, a Starkville City Clerk's Office employee resigned after an internal investigation tied her to embezzlement. City Clerk Taylor Adams said in March that investigation began as a result of new, more stringent financial control methods implemented within his office.

Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch